Claiborne Leads UNA Men to Victory

Claiborne Leads UNA Men to Victory

Rashaun Claiborne scored 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team to a 73-54 home win over Delta State Thursday evening at Flowers Hall.

The Lions used a dominating performance on the boards to defeat DSU for the sixth straight game. UNA held a commanding 42-24 advantage in rebounding, including 17 offensive boards leading to 18 second-chance points. UNA was also 21-of-27 from the free throw line.

With the win, UNA improves to 17-4 on the season and 10-3 in Gulf South Conference play. Delta State falls to 8-12 overall and 4-8 in league action.

North Alabama led 26-22 at the half despite shooting just 26 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play. Claiborne scored 14 points in the second half as the Lions’ offense came alive. UNA shot 44.4 percent and finished with 73 points—the most Delta State has yielded in GSC play this season.

A pair of free throws by Marquel Darrington gave UNA a 41-30 lead with 13:11 remaining and the Lions maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Bruce Adams added 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Lions.

UNA will play at Union next Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. on the UU campus in Jackson, Tenn.